Natural Selection on Genes Related to Cardiovascular Health in High-Altitude Adapted Andeans

The increase in red blood cell mass (polycythemia) due to the reduced oxygen availability (hypoxia) of residence at high altitude or other conditions is generally thought to be beneficial in terms of increasing tissue oxygen supply. However, the extreme polycythemia and accompanying increased mortality due to heart failure in chronic mountain sickness most likely reduces fitness. Tibetan highlanders have adapted to high altitude, possibly in part via the selection of genetic variants associated with reduced polycythemic response to hypoxia.

Source: The American Journal of Human Genetics - November 2, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Jacob E. Crawford, Ricardo Amaru, Jihyun Song, Colleen G. Julian, Fernando Racimo, Jade Yu Cheng, Xiuqing Guo, Jie Yao, Bharath Ambale-Venkatesh, Jo ão A. Lima, Jerome I. Rotter, Josef Stehlik, Lorna G. Moore, Josef T. Prchal, Rasmus Nielsen Tags: Article Source Type: research